Childermas

[chil-der-muhs]

noun

Chiefly British.

1. Holy Innocents' Day.

childermas

/ ˈtʃɪldəˌmæs /

noun

1. archaic,  Holy Innocents Day, Dec 28

Word History and Origins

Origin of Childermas¹

before 1000; Middle English chyldermasse, equivalent to Old English cildra (genitive plural of cild child ) + mæsse Mass

Word History and Origins

Origin of Childermas¹

Old English cylda-mæsse, from cildra, genitive plural of _child , + mæsse _Mass

Example Sentences

These Childermas festivities took place in monastic as well as in secular churches, but they seem to have been more common in nunneries than in male communities.

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From other authorities it appears that the day of the week on which Childermas occurred was regarded as unfortunate throughout the year.

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The Confessor's Church as you will remember was consecrated on Childermas, the Holy Innocents' Day.

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On Wednesday, the Feast of the Holy Innocents, or Childermas, the dying king rouses himself sufficiently to sign the Charter of the foundation: but Edith his queen has to represent him at the consecration.

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On Childermas Day, New Year's Day, and Twelfth Night the same costly feasts were continued, only that on Thursday there was roast beef and venison pasty for dinner, and mutton and roast hens were served for supper.

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